Kalka Devi Mandir, Delhi, IN

Deities: Goddess Kalka
Location: Nehru Place, New Delhi
Built in: 1764
Significance: Shrine of ancient origin
Best Time to Visit: February to March and September to November

Situated beyond the commercial complex of Nehru Place lies Kalkaji temple dedicated to the Goddess Kalka Devi. Kalkaji mandir is very famous and has numerous devotees thronging it on many religious occasions, throughout the year. Small red flags decorate the temple then, and women outnumber men among the devotees. Folklore is replete with tales of the Kalkaji temple, so much so that one does not know where legend ends and history begins.

This is a very old temple and the oldest part was built up in 1764 A.D. The Kali Temple in Kalkaji boasts of an existence of 3,000 years, although the oldest surviving portion of it dates to 1764-1771 when the Marathas were in power. Looking at the present-day Kalkaji temple one may find it hard to believe that this shrine to Kali is an antique one, where perhaps even the Pandavs and Kauravs had worshiped during the reign of Yudhisthir, whose citadel of Indraprastha had the fabled fairy gates of which bards sang, much like Homer of old.

The devotees are overwhelmed by light, which stay during the whole night. The power of Ma Kali is ambiguous but powerful. Devotees also try to meditate there and a spectacular tantric aarati is held at about 7 pm. The temple is also quite near to the Bahai Temple, which is just opposite on the other side of a big road.

This domed twelve-sided temple is devoted to Goddess Kalka Devi, a reincarnation of Goddess Durga. The oldest section of the Kalka Ji Mandir dates back to the year 1734. It is said that the Maratha rulers looted the temple in the year 1738, after the Mughals in the battle of Talkatora defeated them. Somewhere in the mid-19th century, Raja Kedarnath, the treasurer of Emperor Akbar, carried out certain changes and additions on this temple.

Kalkaji Temple has been constructed completely out of marble and black pumice stones. The entire structure is devoid of any ostentation and comes across as very plain and simple. Everyday, the idol of the deity is bathed with milk in the morning and an aarti is conducted in the evening. People coming to the temple can purchase offering from the vendors sitting just before its entrance. In the backyard of the main structure is an inn, which is known as Kali Dharamshala.

According to legend, every day a cow gave all her milk to Goddess Kalkaji. The owner of the cow was a farmer, who built a temple in her honour. Visitors should be alert in the area as the place is very crowded and there can be few anti-social elements (pickpockets) after your wallet or precious possessions. Offerings can be purchased just before the entrance of the temple.

Festival:
Still, the temple holds a very modern and contemporary look. The temple gains special importance during the period of Navratras, which lasts for almost nine days. At that time, a fair is held at the Delhi Kalkaji Temple and is attended by thousands of devotees. One can hoards of hawkers near the temple during the fair, which are often accompanied by groups singing hymns and songs eulogizing the Goddess.

Other Temples in Delhi:
Chattarpur Mandir
Akshardham Mandir
Gauri Shanker Temple
Hanuman Mandir
Isckon Temple
Kali Bari Mandir
Sheetla Devi Temple
Lakshmi Narayan Temple
Lotus Temple
Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir
Sai Baba Mandir

How to reach:
by Air: The Indira Gandhi International Airport of Delhi have both domestic as well as international terminals. It is well connected to almost all the cities of the world as well as every city in India.
by Rail: There are a number of railway stations in Delhi that connect it to almost each and every city in the country, major or minor.
by Road: All the main cities of India are linked with Delhi by a network of highways and roads. One can easily reach Kalka Devi Temple by taking local Buses, metro, auto rickshaws or by hiring taxis from Delhi.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.